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The Telegraph

Studies and stipends at open varsity

Sambalpur: The Odisha State Open University has launched a programme titled "Earn While You Learn" for its students to impart the workplace-based learning in them.

The varsity has signed an MoU with the Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation in this regard.

According to the programme, students will start getting stipend from the first month, while they will be attached to service sectors, said vice-chancellor Srikant Mohapatra.

Minimum eligibility criteria for the programme will remain as Plus Two, and students will be selected through a screening process, he said.

Both the open university and the corporation will formulate the scheme of work-based learning process by selecting industrial houses. Students will be working in the industries while studying online during the working days.

On Sundays, they will attend classes and get scope to clear their doubts if any, the vice-chancellor said.

In the process, the students will be admitted in courses such as diploma in business administration, bachelor in business administration and advance diploma. Duration of the courses will vary from one to three years, he said.

Each student will get Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 as stipend per month, according to their work in the industries, he said. "After completing their courses, one may get a permanent job in the company or join elsewhere."

The university has fixed Rs 15,000 as course fee which will be shared with the corporation. Its managing director Vivek Sawant, who recently visited the varsity, stressed that the education had to be "autonomous and self sufficient".

He said that even Mahatma Gandhi had emphasised on the concept "nayee talim" for providing skill-based education.

The varsity has also signed MoUs with the Sambalpur University and the Gangadhar Meher university to provide add-on courses to their students.

The students will get skill-based training in IT sector as well as writing and leadership skill in the process. Narrating the scheme, Mohapatra said most of the talented students did not know how to appear before an interview board. They will now be getting skill training to become a successful leader.